Where Is The 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L Trailhawk?

[Jared B]

Where Is The 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L Trailhawk?​

No Trailhawk, But Still Trail Rated...​

Where Is The 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L Trailhawk?

During the unveiling of the all-new 2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee L earlier this month, you might have noticed that one particular trim-level is missing from the three-row SUV's lineup. The "Trailhawk" nameplate has become synonymous with the Jeep brand's "Trail Rated" go-anywhere attitude across...

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[bill burke]

I’m sure there is more coming on Grand Cherokee, lots more. Wisely much is being held tight and will be revealed to great fanfare when most opportune. By keeping us in the dark, it maintains interest. That Trailhawk will show soon enough, as will the Trackhawk. I want to see it all too, but Jeep is too smart for that. Can’t wait.

 

[TripleT]

Not sure there should be a TrailHawk of the LWB version.... maybe Desert Hawk.... Reserve the Trailhawk for the SWB

 

[Ryan]

Not sure there should be a TrailHawk of the LWB version.... maybe Desert Hawk.... Reserve the Trailhawk for the SWB

If Overland can be Trail Rated, there’s no reason they couldn’t make a Trailhawk with the same level of capability, just more rugged styling. And maybe cheaper with less luxury content.

 

[bill burke]

If Overland can be Trail Rated, there’s no reason they couldn’t make a Trailhawk with the same level of capability, just more rugged styling. And maybe cheaper with less luxury content.

These are two valid points to which I agree. I would propose that there is no reason or logic in abandoning a popular model like the Trailhawk or the Trackhawk for that matter. In fact, I believe Jeep will up the ante on both with affordability, capability and distinction in styling. I also believe that the short wheel base GC is a better fit for these models. Let’s face it, Jeep is restructuring the whole brand and with new competition snapping at their heels, expect a more aggressive effort brand wide. I am restating my prediction that Cherokee is headed to a shortened Grand Cherokee RWD platform next generation to expand capability and enhance conformity to traditional Jeep attributes. This will put one less soft FWD model under that valuable Jeep name and the Trailhawk will stand out as the off road leader in SUV’s, nothing to be compromised.
We may have a wait for all things Jeep, but anticipation only makes the heart grow fonder.

 

[TripleT]

No one is saying to abandon the Trailhawk on the Grand Cherokee, It whether is is appropriate for the L. I absolutely SURE that it will be appropriate on the SWB.

The question is, do you treat it like a performance package or is just a appearance package.

If it is a Performance Package the breakover is a issue. And not that it not very capable off road, but is it TrialHawk capable? Not really.

 

[Ryan]

No one is saying to abandon the Trailhawk on the Grand Cherokee, It whether is is appropriate for the L. I absolutely SURE that it will be appropriate on the SWB.

The question is, do you treat it like a performance package or is just a appearance package.

If it is a Performance Package the breakover is a issue. And not that it not very capable off road, but is it TrialHawk capable? Not really.

Again, what defines "Trailhawk capability" above the usual Trail Rated criteria? No other Trailhawk models go above and beyond the Trail Rated badge's capability. It's not like there are two tiers of capability on non-Wrangler Jeep vehicles. For the Renegade, Compass, and Cherokee, the Trail Rated badge and the Trailhawk trim level are basically synonymous. Same with the WK2, though you can add packages to other trim levels to equal the Trailhawk's capability. On WK2, it actually was essentially an appearance package as you could get the same off-road equipment on Laredo E, Limited, and Overland.

We've already seen that the Overland will wear the Trail Rated badge when correctly equipped, so we know the WL75 can be Trail Rated. And if it can be Trail Rated, there can be a Trailhawk variant.

 

[UN4GTBL]

I'm sure they only showed a few of the coming models for the new Grand Cherokee, so what I call the "interesting" models are still to come: Trailhawk & Trackhawk. I agree with what was said, if the Overland is Trail Rated, then I see no issue with a Trailhawk model to come.

I'm biased obviously, as I own a KL Trailhawk, but the styling makes the vehicle look "cool" to me. The red and dark grey accents really set it off, and the number of times I've had people point out the red tow hooks on my KL surprises me. The regular Jeep models look good, but I've never been a fan of chrome, so the Trailhawk, Trackhawk and even the High Altitude models are the ones that appeal to me.

 

[Ryan]

I'm sure they only showed a few of the coming models for the new Grand Cherokee, so what I call the "interesting" models are still to come: Trailhawk & Trackhawk. I agree with what was said, if the Overland is Trail Rated, then I see no issue with a Trailhawk model to come.

I'm biased obviously, as I own a KL Trailhawk, but the styling makes the vehicle look "cool" to me. The red and dark grey accents really set it off, and the number of times I've had people point out the red tow hooks on my KL surprises me. The regular Jeep models look good, but I've never been a fan of chrome, so the Trailhawk, Trackhawk and even the High Altitude models are the ones that appeal to me.

Also - Trailhawk would absolutely be an appearance package on the smaller Jeeps if they didn't have to modify the fascias for approach and departure angles. If they could use the same fascia as the Latitude and Limited, we'd see off road packages on those trim levels too, just like on the current Grand Cherokee.

 

[UN4GTBL]

Also - Trailhawk would absolutely be an appearance package on the smaller Jeeps if they didn't have to modify the fascias for approach and departure angles. If they could use the same fascia as the Latitude and Limited, we'd see off road packages on those trim levels too, just like on the current Grand Cherokee.

There is that new Upland package they are doing in the USA on the KL, which is a Trailhawk appearance without the capability - aka SRT Design all over again

 

[TripleT]

@Ryan doesn't the ride height change with the Trailhawk version. So while your right the Trail rating is part of Trailhawk version. It is more to it than just caps.

I would argue that since the Grand Cherokee is already Trail Rated, or could be with taller springs that the Trailhawk should be beyond that on Grand Cherokee.

What interesting is how easy it is the lift the base model, I see spring Changes as being one of the first things that happen, I bet the aftermarket guys are already working on it.

 

[Ryan]

@Ryan doesn't the ride height change with the Trailhawk version. So while your right the Trail rating is part of Trailhawk version. It is more to it than just caps.

I would argue that since the Grand Cherokee is already Trail Rated, or could be with taller springs that the Trailhawk should be beyond that on Grand Cherokee.

What interesting is how easy it is the lift the base model, I see spring Changes as being one of the first things that happen, I bet the aftermarket guys are already working on it.
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Yep, on those models it's not an appearance package because they are FWD with long overhangs and require adjusted fascias. On the WK2 it was literally just an appearance package. You can get the same level of capability in the Limited and Overland with the off-road package. Laredo E doesn't have the air suspension, AFAIK, so that's one benefit to the Trailhawk. But the Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk all have the same level of capability when properly equipped. Trailhawk just adds gray accents, red tow hooks, and some stickers.

 

[Ryan]

This is the package available on the WK2 Limited. Pretty sure it was available prior to the Trailhawk trim level, so they just bundled this equipment with an appearance package and called it a Trailhawk. No reason they couldn't do that on WL75 too.

 

[TripleT]

How about call the L the off road adventure package with the Trialhawk appearance, and the SWB Trailhawk?

 

[TripleT]

Yep, on those models it's not an appearance package because they are FWD with long overhangs and require adjusted fascias. On the WK2 it was literally just an appearance package. You can get the same level of capability in the Limited and Overland with the off-road package. Laredo E doesn't have the air suspension, AFAIK, so that's one benefit to the Trailhawk. But the Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk all have the same level of capability when properly equipped. Trailhawk just adds gray accents, red tow hooks, and some stickers.

Pretty sure it got 2" more lift over the standard Limited and Laredo. Again the air suspension on higher models having the same effect but at a cost.

 

[Ryan]

I'd be fine with getting rid of Trailhawk entirely and just offering the off-road equipment on all trim levels. An Altitude with Off-Road Adventure package would effectively replace it. That isn't possible on WL75 though unless that package included new fascias. Unlike the WK2, where the Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Trailhawk, and Overland had the same fascia and the Summit got a unique fascia, on WL the Laredo, Limited, and Summit all have the same (poor approach angle) fascia making the Overland the only one with a decent approach angle. Before, even the cheap models had good capability. Now you have to get a luxury trim level if you want off-road capability which is why it'd be easier just to make a Trailhawk version with a different appearance than the Overland and fewer luxury features.

 

[Bili]

For WK2 Trailhawk trim is not more capable than Overland.

A lot of capability is because of bumper design, nothing else. Actually WK2 in some trims has removable front bumper which further elevates off-road capability.

 

[Ryan]

For WK2 Trailhawk trim is not more capable than Overland.

A lot of capability is because of bumper design, nothing else. Actually WK2 in some trims has removable front bumper which further elevates off-road capability.

I think all trims with the base fascia have the removable bumper portion.

Was originally planning to replace the chrome trim around the lower grille with gloss black trim in my Limited and found it would be possible to just remove the lower portion instead of removing the entire fascia to access it. But the part is like $400 unpainted so I decided to forget it.